On my day off this week, a group of friends and I took a guide and climbed Haute Fort.   This is my second time climbing this mountain range and is something I could do every day.

We met at 11am; a perfect time as the morning ice crust has had time to melt away revealing the powder once more.

We took the Les Intrets lift all the way to the top, turned right and traversed around the top of the Les Crozats Snow Cross. When we got to the furthest point we started out ascent.  Whilst not as technical as the Pointe d’Avoriaz climb, it is however longer and quite tiring, although totally worth it.

Once you reach the top, a stunning vista of the alps awaits you…..truly incredible.  The view takes in Les Gets, Avoriaz, Switzerland, Morzine, Flaine, Mont Blanc and everything in between.  Just the view alone is worth the climb.

We traversed a little more and then started out descent.  The initial run takes you through 3 powder fields.  After the 40 cm we had at the beginning of the week, there was a lot of fresh powder and plenty of fresh tracks to be had.  The area is full of natural features from wind lips to rolling valleys; these make an already incredible area, mind blowing, especially if you are like me and like to try the odd jump and trick along the way.

After the initial powder fields you can either continue through the trees to the Prodain or take a short walk where you end up in a Village called Moisonette, this is abandoned for the winter. With most of the roofs barely visible through the snow, it shows you just how much there has been this season.  These small chalet huts are used by hunters over the summer and rather coincidentally we bumped into one of the owners (Jean-Claude) who was getting things ready for the spring.
He is also a hunter and insisted we had a shot of Genepi with him, at first begrudgingly, we accepted the drink.  He really wasn’t going to take no for an answer and he seemed very jovial and pleasant.  Not normally one for accepting drinks off strangers, it turned out to be a lot of fun and after being regaled in a few stories of avalanches and times gone by (whilst speaking our best French) we continued our run.

Our final descent is a huge tree run that takes you all the way in to the Prodain Valley.  There are many routes, but my favourite has to be joining the bmx downhill track that is normally used over summer.  Full of tight turns and a fair few hair raising moments, it has a beautiful balance of feeling like you are out of control but always feeling safe and is a great way to end our journey.
It is a small walk back up the hill towards the Prodain lift, a perfect opportunity to regale in what we had just done and laugh about the tumbles and falls, jumps and tricks we all had shared.  The prodain lift overlooks the area we had come down; again this gives us an opportunity to see what we had done, a glimpse at the lines we took, our tracks still fresh in the snow.  The huge area of dampened snow where Adam decided to attempt a back flip and failed, losing his skis in the process.

At the top we all rested at the Changabang burger house which sits at the base of the mountain in resort.  Here we could trace our route further and again joke and regale in what we had done whist enjoying a well-earned burger.

This one probably my greatest experience throughout my 3 seasons in the Porte Du Soleil area. Something I hope to repeat a 3rd time before the end of the season and definitely something everyone should try at least once!!!

An X Games Overview from one of our Resort Managers, James:

X Games Audience Waiting

This week I found myself in the very fortunate position of being able to visit the X-games for a day.  The programme for the day was the men’s slopestyle ski qualifiers, the final for the men’s super-pipe and a wakeup call of 5.30am.

I had not planned on going to the event, but a phone call on the Wednesday afternoon by a friend within the company, meant that it was an event not to be missed.  Shaun White, the reigning Olympic and X-games gold medallist was going to visit our shores and compete for the first time since the X-games has been introduced to Europe and specifically Tignes.  He was not originally on the billing and was only announced late and what’s more….he stayed in a Ski Total chalet!!!

We set out early for the day, eager with in anticipation.  That was until my friends fell asleep 5 minutes in to the journey….

Big Air

3 and a half hours later we arrived at Le Lac in Tignes 1800 and got on to the free bus that took us over to Val Claret, where the X-games were being held.

All the talk of the day (even by skiers) was that Shaun White was there and this was creating a huge buzz around the site.  We took a quick tour looking around the various tents and sponsors.  Then we went and watched the snow bikes perform a shower, this was very cool!!! How they rotate them to perform backflips, I will never know!!!

The Men’s Ski Slope style event was starting at 1.30 so we made our way up the mountain to the slope style course.  Perched in the snow and with thousands of spectators, we forged a mini Ski Total camp and set in to watch the Skiers. 

Night Flight

Freestyle skiing has very much advanced over the last couple of years and the competitors did not let us down.  They were double backflips; double cork 1080’s and spins so many spins!!!!

In the downtime, all of the spectators decided to partake in a mountain wide snow ball fight; this alone was actually worth the whole trip.  With a crazy French man leading the charge, the slopes were alive with snowballs; we had the perfect position towards the top, perfect distance away from the bottom but within range to strike ourselves.  This lasted about 15 minutes, all was good natured and everyone had huge smiles across their faces.  It really was something to behold.

We wandered around resort, buying official merchandise (I have a lovely new X-games beanie) and waited until the gates opened for the Super pipe and its 6.30pm start. 

Eager to get a good spot, we debated on the pros and cons of waiting at the base, or new to this year, climbing up the super pipe and being able to watch from the side, literally inside the pipe.  We decided to watch from the side, apart from the logistics of standing on a slope on a piece of ice, this was a masterstroke.  For one, I had Shaun White no more than a metre away flying through the air but we could look down on the crowd and enjoy the sites and it really added to the occasion. So well done to the organisers for deciding to open the sides this year!

The route down

In all honesty it was a walk in the park for Shaun White, taking 98 on his first run, his next two were relatively a strolling pace for him, but yet you could see the difference in class. He went higher, was smoother and went bigger than any other competitor and was eventually awarded the gold medal at this year’s Winters X-games in Tignes. 

And so with the action over, we headed to the saloon bar to catch up with old friends and to grab a burger.  Then we headed back to the car, reflecting on what a wonderful day it had been and then had the honour of driving all the way back, and yes my friends fell asleep within 5 minutes again. 

Over the course of the journey I reflected on the day.  This was my first time attending the X-Games, but you can tell it still has not lost its roots.  This is the 3^rd time it has been in Europe and Tignes itself.  They have managed to bring the magic, that makes the American version so good and slowly have brought that to the European scene.  With only 30+ competitors last year, this year saw that top 100.  Every year it is getting bigger and now it is attracting the top names in the business and what’s more…….it is completely free! Everything; the parking, entrance to the venue and getting around resort.  What more could you really want!?

A huge thank you has to go to the organisers and Tignes itself for staging such a wonderful day.  I just cannot wait for next year now!!!

Following the story of the ‘Les Menuires Seven’ across the social networks and the coverage through the media, both radio and press. The company has now closed down with the website and twitter account switched off.

Reports from a member of staff, ‘Aanya Madhani’ one of those that had barricaded themselves into one of the Ski Chalets (now back home) is that they have still not been paid and are owed up to £1500 each.

Others affected by the business are the future clients that have paid for a ski holidays that no longer have a holiday available due to the company ceasing trading with no known bonding to retrieve their costs.

As the UK Ski Chalet Specialists, Ski Total would like to offer those that had booked with Skithe3v.com to travel this season the opportunity to still travel and welcome any guests to contact us to discuss the possibilities of arranging a ski holiday at a special rate for those affected.

From our Avoriaz Resort Manager, James:

 I had my day off yesterday and we decided to do something a little different….

A group of friends and I decided to tour all of the main parks in the Porte Du Soleil area. As this is normally the busiest week of the season, we thought this would be a great way to beat the crowds and also have a bit of fun (and also inadvertently do the Porte Du Soleil circuit at the same time).

Firstly, the snow conditions are consistent with the mini heat wave we have experienced over the last 2 weeks.  Very firm in the morning, becoming slushy throughout the day.  I have to say, despite it being very warm, the snow is holding very well and has been a lot of fun for Staff and Guests alike.  Next week we are expected snow every day to top up the pistes again!!

We decided we would start in Les Gets at Mont Chery, work our way around to Pointe De Nyon, through Morzine and up to the Chapelle Park in Avoriaz.  Then across to the park in Chatel and on through Switzerland to Crozat, which brought us back on to the border of France, where we would stop at the Arare park located on the opposite side of Avoriaz.

The park on Mont Chery was perfect for beginners who are just starting out, but also great for intermediates who are looking to tighten up their tricks.  There are a nice series of blue and red jumps, which aren’t over awing.  My favourite piece of equipment was the C-Rail.

Next we went on to the Pointe De Nyon, this is very much a beginner park, it has a couple of jumps and also a few box rails.  Located in a handy area, it also has a drag lift to get you back to the top quickly.  

Back in to Avoriaz we went to the Chapelle Park.  This is the best all round park in the area, catering from everyones needs.  To the left of the park is the beginner jump area, there are 6 greens in 2 rows.  One row being ever slightly more difficult.  Next we have the rails and boxes.  These cover all ability areas, from big wide boxes to challenging rails for more advanced riders.  Then onto the advanced jumps.  There are 2 sets of 3, one line blue and one red. These jumps are starting to get pretty big and are more for intermediate and advanced riders.  After the jumps there are another couple of rails.  The Chapelle also has a handy drag lift bringing you back to the top.

The Chapelle park is the only park I have never visited before in my 3 seasons in the Porte Du Soleil. I was pleasantly surprised.  The Chatel area is already a guilty pleasure of mine.  It is a very progressive park and is designed to want to push you.  It is a little but more rail orientated but a great park to visit.

The last 2 parks we visited were the Crozats in Switzerland and the Arare in Avoriaz.  These are the big boy parks for advanced riders.  It is not often I am scared anymore but I was scared of the 2 new jumps in the Crozat.  They must cover at least 50/60 feet and have a slight upward gradient.  The rest of the park is pretty advanced, however is progressive for the advanced rider looking to improve.

Lastly, we went to the Arare, my favourite park in the area.  There is a mixture of blue, red and black jumps.  The blues are for intermediate riders, whilst the red and black are very much for the advanced.   There is also a nice rails section, 2 table tops, a can, 2 pipe rails and a new quarter pipe.   The new black jump, which I hit for the first time yesterday, is now my favourite feature.

They say that a picture is worth a 1000 words, here is a weeks skiing from behind the camera, on an extraordinary week filled with fresh powder snow and beautiful blue sky…

On arrival to Lech we were welcomed by all skiers dreams, fresh powder falling by the bucket load. However there is only so much snow you wish for and hope that by the next morning it has stopped and the sun has come out to offer up some great skiing conditions…
The new game this week once we managed to get on the slopes, ‘Spot the Chalet’. Yes that is a chalet in the picture, not the Chalet Hotel Sonneck, although a well and truly buried chalet none the less.
It’s amazing the difference the weather makes, one day the view is a blanket of white cloud and snow, the next beautiful blue sky over white mountains.
Once again the weather cleared and we managed to get out on the slopes around lech, the fresh snow constantly topping up the already perfect skiing conditions around the resort and as the sky cleared the slopes once again revealed themselves to the glory or all skiers and boarders alike.
As the snow returned there was nothing for it for some people as they turned to alternate activities from skiing and snow boarding to Igloo building…
The blue sky returns to Lech and the true beauty of the resort and mountains can be seen.
The perfect way to end a great weeks skiing the sun came out and provided the perfect conditions to ski our last day with clear visibility from all areas of the mountain.

James May meets Ski Total

This week in Val d’Isère is a dream come true for any petrol heads out there… Top Gear are in resort, and they are up to their usual antics! From cooking fondue on a car engine, to racing rally cars up “Face” the Olympic black run, who knows what they will do next?! Some of our staff have been lucky enough to bump into James May and get a photo with him, whilst others have spotted him out enjoying the 300km of piste the Espace Killy has to offer!

Ski Total still has availability in the Chalet Hotel Champs Avalins, Val d’Isere starting at £549pp on 15th April 2012! Can’t wait that long, check out all our latests offers in Val d’Isere

Book Online or call our dedicated Reservation Advisory team on 01252 618333 now!

This exclusive deal is only available until the end of business tomorrow so don’t delay book your ski holiday today!

Offer available on selected properties and resorts throughout dates in March and April, check out these fantastic offers in the below resorts. With savings of up to £400 per couple there’s no better time to book…

Double discount offer is available on selected dates on the above selected properties and is subject to availability. Double discounts are up to the maximum amount stated and apply to specific dates within March and April only. Offer applies to new bookings only and discounts can be changed or withdrawn without prior notice.

Ski Total guests have been enjoying the fantastic snow and skiing conditions. As the resort has been cut off due to the heavy snowfall, it’s been more like an exclusive ski club with no outsiders coming in to take advantage of the snow and slopes.

Although the resort has been cut off the authorities have advised they expect the road to be back open before the weekend. Leavig guests in ther Chalet Hotel Abendrot and Chalet Zita to take full advantage of the facilities of their chalets and the resort.

Andreas Steibl, The Paznaun-Ischgl Tourist Director put out the below press release to give a little more insight to the extent of the snowfal over the past few weeks.

The top Austrian ski resort of Ischgl has been cut off this week after huge snowfalls caused the closure of access roads.

Nearly 1,000 British holidaymakers are staying in Ischgl and the neighbouring village of Galtur in the Tirol and have been enjoying excellent skiing and boarding conditions.

Four days of non-stop snowfalls until yesterday (Monday) dumped five feet (150cms) of snow, which brings the total depth of snow on the mountain to eight feet (250cms).

The main access road, along the Paznaun Valley from Landeck to Ischgl, was open at the weekend, allowing holidaymakers to get in and out of the resort. But since then the road has been closed as a precaution because of the risk of avalanches.

The road between the village of Kappl and Ischgl has been shut, as well as the road beyond Ischgl to the smaller resort of Galtur, also popular with British skiers.

“Although the roads have been closed, the resort itself has been operating as normal with skiers and boarders experiencing amazingly good conditions,” said Paznaun-Ischgl Tourist Director Andreas Steibl.

It’s understood that most UK tour operator arrivals and departures took place as scheduled last weekend, and few people had to extend their stay. Changeover time for most British holidaymakers is weekends and access routes are expected to be open again by this coming weekend.

Thirty-six of Ischgl’s 44 skilifts were open today (Tuesday) and 155 kilometres of runs.

“The forecast for the rest of the week is for sunnier conditions, so we don’t think there will be problems with people getting in and out at the weekend,” said Mr Steibl.

British ski instructor Sarah Hannibal, who works in Ischgl, said: “The skiing conditions are fantastic, although obviously no one is going off-piste at the moment because of the amount of snow. It has been very windy at the top of the mountain which means visibility can be affected by wind-blown snow – but the holidaymakers are having a wonderful time.”

Sarah added: “Many ski instructors who live in other parts of the valley are the ones affected most by the conditions and they have had to make arrangements to stay with friends or at hotels in Ischgl. That includes me – I live in Galtur and have been stranded in Ischgl – but it’s no hardship when the skiing is so good. And having this amount of snow at this stage of the winter means that everyone can look forward to a fabulous season.”

What better way to round up the snowfall from this week than a gallery of the images send in by our staff directly from their respective resorts and travels from training locations back to resort.

Waking up to snowfall on the 5th December the first images started coming in from across the Alps:

Val d’Isère

Saas Fee

St Anton

Les Arcs

Less images came in from resort on the 6th December as staff got to work with a good set of images coming in from Courchevel and the odd image from St Anton:

Courchevel 1850

St Anton

Then yesterday the 7th December there was an influx of images from across the Alps showing the extent of the heavy snowfall from throughout the week so far, with pictures coming in from Switzerland, Austria and France.

Saas Fee

Val d’Isère

St Anton

We finish with pictures taken throughout today of the crystal clear blue sky’s over pure white mountain tops, firstly taken from in the mountains and then further down tyhe mountain and on into the valleys below, 8th December:

Pictures from across the Alps taken on the 8th December

We will continue with our snow reports and updates throughout the ski season and as new pictures and videos come in we will endeavour to upload them and make them available as soon as possible.

When I got in the office this morning I have to admit that after seing the images of snowfall earlier this week the below photo was confirmation that heavy snow has truely arrived in St Anton.

What better reason is there to book your St Anton ski trip than the knowlegde of the fantastic snow conditions in resort.